The Washington critic., 1887-01-22

VoioI laueu iroHi hi9s '"Ni""
cheeks.
"What a dreadful thing law is '' she
said. II had no idea such laws existed.
Then ! suppose | must go with you.
But I'm not baby. Show mo your
proofs--your representatives gives
you your right.
i took from my pocket a lease
written on parchment and tied with red
tape
"The warrant, madam" ! said.
then turned over the edge OF my
wais,coat and exhibited the pin Of the
Jolly Good Fellows Club, of which /
am member, and said;
my badge of office, madam"
She turned paler still, she sat down
and began TO cry. Suddenly she wiped
her eyes and said:
May write note to tell somebody
why break an engagement And
before go down to the stupid hole
where papa wants TO bury me, will you
go with me TO the dressmakcr' T'
Certainly" l replied. To myself |
said "She will plan to escape me at
the dressmaker's. must watch her
there"
Miss Matilda wrote the note. She
sent II off before my eyes, and without
leaving the room she called a maid to
bring her her lace shawl and hat and
veil. And my pearl skin colored
gloves, Rose" she added, "And re.
member, pack everything nicely"
Then, having hidden good bye to her
weeping friend, who called her papa q
brute and who refused to be intro.
duccd to me, we started OFF. Aswe left
The house ] watched her closely.
There was something In her face did
not like, but felt that was master Of
the situation.
Where does your dressmaker llvey'
/ asked.
She gave me the address twas not
a store-a fashionable set of parlors In
- street. There lay the danger,
and knew It, Miss Matilda" said |,
you will forgive me for reminding you
that cannot leave you even for mo-
meDt"
mo need to remind me Of that, she
answered, in tone that was not, TO say
the least of 1t, very complimentary.
We walked down the street toget
and l, as an elderly gentleman, felt that
! might offer her my arm. She was ca.
moment, but she did not run. She
sauntered slowly, staring at the shops
as she went on, and making remarks
about the people we passed She car.
ricd little bag in her hand and twirled
1t as she walked, in reckless sort of
manner.
What happened might have been ex.
| pectcd. AT the turn of the street u
young man, dressed In respectable
clothing, daited up and snatched the
bag, and Immediately turned and fled
However, he did not run far, for before
/ could utter word, a stout policeman
had darted from shop door, seized the
thief and held him, pale with terror and
shaking like an aspen leaf, until we
walked up.
Your bag, miss p asked the po.
liceman.
"Oh, yes" said Matilda, "I'm SO
thankful you caught him. Oh, how
could you be so wicked But, perhaps,
| I'd better let you off, young man, now
I've got the money back"
"See If it is safe, miss" said the po.
liceman.
Matilda opened the bag. "Its
empty - said she.
what! Have you played that
gamer said the policeman. "You'll
have to come up to the office, miss,
and make a charge. Wen search
him; he must have 1t about him"
"l'll give 1t up, sir, said the young
man. "Here is the money" and he
handed $40 bill to the policeman.
"Oh, miss, I'm really not an old Of.
fender. Circumstances drove me to
the commission of the crime. Forgive
me-"
That's all humbug." said the police.
man; come along. You follow, If you
please, miss. don't consider 1t the
Off, for my part
Nor ]" said l. Come on, Miss
Matilda"
The policeman led the way with the
young man. AS we walked behind,
particularly noticed that he had very
gentlemanly appearance. New York
thieves often have. My heart really blod
for him. lie was one who should have
played better part.
We arrived at the station and were
led into n sort of private parlor, where
we were asked to wait awhile, the
prisoner being led away by the police
man. l saw the door of the room in
which the justice sat, open; l saw the
prisoner standing before him. Then
1t closed with a bang. In another in
slant the policeman returned.
Miss" said he, Ellis honor 'wishe:
to see you alone. Our young man de
clares the affair conspiracy against
him, and you will be questioned sep
arately. No offense, sir.
None" said l. Then l beckoned
to the policeman apart, and slipped two
dollars into his hand. Don't lose
sight of the young lady until she re.
joins US, ! said.
"No, sir; on no account" said he.
And OFF they went together. They
were gone ten minutes, and returned us
they went. Miss Matilda had been
weeping.
"fhe lady's evidence was all sulli
Client" said the man.
Then they have committed him 2
said l.
"Yes, he's committed, said Matilda
"Oh, poor fellow! I'm go now, Mr.
Martin"
led her away. AS we went saw
the policeman grinning after us.
couldn't think why.
We said very little as we walked on
and we were Mt the dressmaker's In NJ
time. Now or never would she baIll
me. She might escape by the bacl
door or the roof; how could | tell
refused TO allow her TO go into th
next room. / stared at her Will
madam-all gnation-measurcd he
shoulders and the length of her skirt
When she went behind screen to b.
tried on watched her little feet be
low it, and when got her out Of tn
house / rejoiced. Wecaught the trail
by hairs breadth. did not dOub
that she tried to miss 1t altogether, an,
all night | watched her, lest at som
stnilnn shn minhL rlnln me Mhnn